Dressed for the Occasion

First lady Peng Liyuan "looked stunning" attending the state banquet, which was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on Tuesday, according to Mail Online, the website of the Daily Mail.

Peng was wearing "a sophisticated blue tailored gown with mid-length sleeves and high collar, set off with a white belt and clutch, and a pearl and diamond brooch and drop earrings", the Mail Online reported.

This was the "third glamorous outfit of the day", it said, referring to themas "a fashion hat-trick".

The queen wore "a white tulle banquet dress embroidered with diamante sequins", at the banquet, according to the website. Princess Kate appeared in a Lotus Flower tiara, which once belonged to the queen's mother, and a red gown. Red is a traditional Chinese color for festive occasions.

Venison and Folk Songs

The Mail Online reported that the menu for the State banquet consisted of West Coast turbot with lobster mousse, roasted loin of Balmoral venison in a Madeira and truffle sauce, braised red cabbage, cocotte potatoes, timbale of celeriac and butternut squash. Delice of chocolate, mango and lime, as well as a fruit platter, was served for dessert.

In the background, the Chinese folk song Xiao He Tang Shui, or The Small Murmuring River, was one of the musical pieces played. It is one of first lady Peng Liyuan's favorite songs. A medley known as the Chinese Folk Fantasy was also played during the banquet.

Proverbs to savor

President Xi Jinping quoted Chinese and English proverbs in his speech during the banquet.

"Nothing, not even mountains and oceans, can separate people with shared goals and a vision," he said. "Opportunity may knock just once-grab it before it slips away." And "a wise man turns a chance into good fortune".

Exchanging Gifts

Queen Elizabeth II presented President Xi Jinping with a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets. First lady Peng Liyuan received a pair of Royal Crown Derby candlesticks. Other gifts included a pair of silver-framed photographs of the queen and her husband Prince Philip, the Daily Telegraph reported. The gifts Xi presented to the queen and her husband included two albums recorded by his wife, the newspaper said.

(China Daily USA 10/22/2015 page9)